Benjamin Bache sat with a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth and one eye narrowed while he tapped the screen on his phone. He put it in his pocket, rolled the cigarette between his fingers, went back to drumming his thigh then suddenly took out the phone again and pressed the screen once more. That was when it came back to her. A scene from a film at the Contemplation by the Sea Festival. He had been playing a police officer. He was supposed to be her – or rather, not her, but possibly Kim or Curry, a male detective who was not the boss but a member of a unit. He had seemed uncomfortable in the role. Mia took a last bite of the apple, tossed the core into a waste bin and walked up to the steps.
Benjamin Bache rose when he saw her and came towards her with a broad smile on his face.
‘Hi, Mia, great to see you,’ he said, and offered her a firm handshake.
‘Hello,’ Mia said, somewhat surprised that he acted as if he knew her.
Perhaps that was what they did in his circles. Those of us who appear on TV and feature in the newspapers are in the same boat, we’re a community and we stick together. It was so not Mia’s way of doing things, but she decided to ignore it.
‘I’ve booked us a table at Theatercaféen, is that all right?’ Benjamin said, stubbing out his cigarette.
‘Fine.’ Mia smiled. ‘But I don’t think it’ll take that long.’
‘Indulge me.’ Benjamin winked at her and punched her arm gently. ‘I need food. I’ve been rehearsing all day, and now I need to go and do some children’s theatre before more rehearsals tonight.’
‘Sure.’ Mia nodded. ‘I’m not hungry, but I can watch you eat.’
‘Sounds great.’ Benjamin smiled and gestured for her to follow him across the street.
She was not surprised to discover that Benjamin Bache was on first-name terms with the waitress at Theatercaféen and chatted with her all the way to the table he had reserved by the window. He even introduced her to Mia. The girl was clearly embarrassed at having to shake Mia’s hand and introduce herself, and again Mia had to smile. Everyone was so chummy. It was a form of manipulation, she knew that, but she couldn’t work out if Benjamin Bache was bright enough to realize it. Perhaps that was just how things were done in his line of work. Everything was personal, intimate: we know each other, we’re on the same team, cast me, I can play this part.
He was a huge flirt, and no mistake. Mia could only hope that Susanne had not been dumb enough to get involved with a guy like him. That she had not shed tears over him. No, he was unlikely to be the one. Susanne preferred older men. Men who could take care of her. Not young men. Though Mia was quite sure that Benjamin Bache could play the strong, caring type if he had to. Now, he was playing the part of… well, what would she call it? The innocent young lad?
‘I must say I was surprised when you called,’ Benjamin said when he had ordered. ‘What is this really about?’
Mia hid a smile: he had said almost the same line in the film she had seen.
‘It’s pure routine,’ Mia said, and took a sip of her water.
‘Fire away,’ Benjamin Bache said.
He raked his hand through his hair and winked at her. He really was a flirt. She made a mental note to tell Susanne to stay well clear of him the next time they saw each other.
‘It’s about your great-grandmother, Veronica Bache.’
‘I see?’ Benjamin said, raising his eyebrows.
‘She was your great-grandmother, wasn’t she? Veronica Bache, Hansteensgate 20. She passed away two years ago?’
‘That’s correct,’ Benjamin said.
‘She was living there when she died?’
‘No, no,’ Benjamin said. ‘She was in a home for many years.’
‘Høvikveien Care Home?’
‘Yes, that’s right. What is this really about?’
‘Who lives at the address Hansteensgate 20?’
‘It’s my flat. I’ve lived there for seven years.’
‘Since your great-grandmother went into care?’
‘Yes.’
‘Did you inherit it? Is it in your name?’
‘No, it’s in my father’s name. What’s happened? Why are you asking me this, Mia?’
Again, this first-name business. She was tempted to confide in him, open up. It really was a very effective technique – she would have to try it out sometime.
‘Like I said, it’s just routine,’ Mia said, taking another sip of water. ‘What’s the production you’re doing?’
‘What? Er, Hamlet,’ Benjamin Bache replied. ‘Or, rather, we’re still rehearsing. I’m in a children’s play right now, but I’m also rehearsing an incredibly exciting new project, a young Norwegian dramatist – she’s only twenty-two, hugely talented – a group of us have come together to support her, pro bono, if you know what I mean, raw, underground, edgy.’
‘I understand.’ Mia nodded. ‘Where was her post sent to?’
‘Whose post?’
‘Veronica Bache’s.’
‘What about her post?’
‘I’m asking if her post was sent to the care home or to your address?’
Benjamin Bache seemed perplexed.
‘Eh, most of it went to Høvikveien Care Home. What kind of post do you mean? Some of it was sent to me, but I forwarded it to the care home, or took it with me when I visited her. What kind of post are we talking about?’
Mia took out a piece of paper from her jacket pocket and slipped it across the white tablecloth.
‘Was this her mobile number?’
Benjamin stared at the number and, if possible, looked even more confused.
‘I haven’t got a clue what you’re talking about.’
‘This number. Did it use to be hers?’
‘My great-grandmother never owned a mobile phone in her life,’ Benjamin said. ‘She hated them. And why would she want one? All the residents had their own private landline.’
Mia took back the piece of paper and stuffed it in her pocket.
‘Thank you,’ she said, getting up. ‘That was all I needed to know. Thanks for your time.’
‘Was that really all?’ Benjamin Bache said. He seemed almost disappointed.
‘Yes – oh no, there was one more thing,’ Mia said, sitting down again. ‘Who inherited from your great-grandmother?’
‘My father,’ Benjamin said.
‘Was there ever any talk… how do I put this, did she leave any of her money to a church?’
Benjamin Bache fell silent. He stuck a toothpick in his mouth and gazed out of the window.
‘Do I have to answer that?’ he said at length.
‘No, of course you don’t,’ Mia said, patting his hand. ‘It’s just that I’m working on a major case and, well, her name cropped up and I know I shouldn’t tell you this, Benjamin, but…’
She leaned towards him.
‘… we’re so close to cracking this case, and if you were able to help me, perhaps I could solve it as early as tonight.’
‘A major case?’ Benjamin too moved forwards as he whispered this to her.